Mine Squadron One, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
(Designated in H.B.M. Grand Fleet, Second Minelaying Squadron)
Captain Reginald R. Belknap, U.S.N., Squadron Commander
Flagship—U.S.S. San Francisco
| Chief of staff | [1] | Captain H. V. Butler. |
| Aid and tactical officer | Commander B. L. Canaga. | |
| Squadron construction and mining officer | [1] | Comdr. L. F. Kimball. |
| Squadron engineer | [1] | Lt. Comdr. F. R. Berg. |
| Squadron engineer from 1 October, 1918 | [1] | Lieut. G. J. Blessing. |
| Flag lieutenant and secretary | Lt. Comdr. E. S. R. Brandt. | |
| Aid and secretary after 23 August, 1918 | Ensign Roger F. Hooper, R.F. | |
| Squadron radio officer, also signal officer after 23 August, 1918 | Lieut. R. C. Starkey. | |
| Communication officer and aid | Lt. (j. g.) R. L. White, R.F. | |
| Squadron surgeon | [1] | Lt. Comdr. G. C. Rhoades (M.C.). |
| Squadron surgeon from 1 October, 1918 | [1] | Lieut. H. P. Stevens (M.C.), R.F. |
| Squadron supply officer | [1] | Lieut. C. R. Eagle (P.C.). |
| Squadron athletic officer | [1] | Lt. Comdr. G. W. Hewlett. |
| Assistant squadron construction officer | [1] | Lieut. G. R. Arey (C.C.). |
San Francisco (flagship)—Captain H. V. Butler, U.S.N.
Launched at Union Iron Works, San Francisco, October 26, 1889, as a protected cruiser; commissioned as a mine ship August 21, 1911; length 324 feet, beam 49 feet, extreme draft 24 feet, full load displacement 4583 tons; twin screw, 18 knots; four 5-inch 51-caliber guns, two 3-inch anti-aircraft guns, 170 mines; officers 22, crew 350; additional for flagship, officers 5, enlisted men 47; total on board 424.
Baltimore—Captain A. W. Marshall, U.S.N.
Launched at Cramp’s Shipyard, Philadelphia, October 26, 1888, as a protected cruiser; commissioned as a mine ship March 8, 1915; length 335 feet, beam 48½ feet, extreme draft 24 feet, 5482 tons; twin screw, 18 knots; four 5-inch 51-caliber guns, two 3-inch anti-aircraft guns, 180 mines; officers 21, crew 339; total 360.
Roanoke—Captain C. D. Stearns, U.S.N.
Launched August 30, 1911, named El Dia; commissioned as a minelayer January 25, 1918, at Tietjen and Lang’s Shipyard, Hoboken, N.J.
Housatonic—Captain J. W. Greenslade, U.S.N.
Launched November 14, 1899, named El Rio; commissioned January 25, 1918, at Tietjen and Lang’s.
Canandaigua—Captain W. H. Reynolds, U.S.N.
Launched in May, 1901, named El Siglo; commissioned March 2, 1918, at the Morse Dry Dock and Repair Company, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Canonicus—Captain T. L. Johnson, U.S.N.
Launched November 14, 1899, named El Cid; commissioned March 2, 1918, at the Morse Yard.
All four preceding were built at the Newport News Ship and Engine Building Company, Newport News, Va., as freight liners for the Southern Pacific Steamship Company (Morgan Line). Length 405 feet, beam 48 feet, draft 20 feet, displacement 7000 tons; single screw, 15 knots; one 5-inch 51-caliber gun aft, two 3-inch anti-aircraft guns forward; 830 mines normally, 900 maximum, carried on three decks; officers 21, crew 400; total 421.
Quinnebaug—Commander D. Pratt Mannix, U.S.N.
Launched October 14, 1898, named Jefferson; commissioned as minelayer March 23, 1918, at Robins’ Dry Dock and Repair Company, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Saranac—Captain Sinclair Gannon, U.S.N.
Launched in 1899, named Hamilton; commissioned April 9, 1918, at James Shewan & Sons, Inc., Brooklyn.
Both were built by John Roach & Sons, Chester, Pa., as coastwise passenger and freight liners for the Old Dominion Steamship Company; length 375 feet, beam 42 feet, draft 18½ feet, displacement 5150 tons; single screw, 16 knots; one 5-inch 51-caliber gun aft, two 3-inch anti-aircraft guns forward; mines 612 normally, 642 maximum, carried on two decks; officers 18, crew 392; total 410.
Shawmut—Captain W. T. Cluverius, U.S.N.
Aroostook—Captain J. Harvey Tomb, U.S.N.
Both vessels were launched in 1907 at Cramp’s Shipyard, Philadelphia, named Massachusetts and Bunker Hill respectively; commissioned as minelayers at Navy Yard, Boston, Mass., December 7, 1917; length 387 feet, beam 52 feet, draft 17½ feet, displacement 3800 tons; twin screw, oil fuel, 20 knots; one 5-inch 51-caliber and one 3-inch anti-aircraft gun on the middle line aft, one 3-inch anti-aircraft gun forward; 320 mines normally, 352 maximum, all carried on one deck; officers 20, crew 346; total 366.
Totals of Squadron:
Tonnage, 54,000 tons.
Mines, normal 5530, maximum 5834.
Officers 208, men 3839; total 4047.
In addition, four seagoing tugs belonged to the squadron, as described in Chapter 22.